IL Recruiting Invitational Spotlight: FLG Lacrosse

The IL Recruiting Invitational is an opportunity for players to get seen, make a name for themselves and leave their mark. IL will be spotlighting each participating club leading up to the event July 21-23 at Goucher College in Towson, Md. Check the homepage of InsideLacrosse.com for scores, photos and more during #ILInvite. Get the event schedule here and follow @ILInvitational on Twitter.

What started as a single eighth grade team on Long Island in 2006 is now a very successful group of boys and girls club teams of all ages.

Being on Long Island, finding lacrosse players is not a difficult task, so growing the FLG program was not that strenuous. What also helps is a philospohy to grow players on and off the field.

FLG's "studletes," as they are called, take part in community service and also work with charities while also learning field skills. They are much more than just boys with sticks.

"We use lacrosse as a foundation to develop athletes on and off the field," said Corey Winkoff, program director of FLG. "The program was started to offer a group of select lacrosse players and opportunity to develop their game and get recruited. The program has grown to having select boys and girls teams in all ages."

Long Island is know for its lacrosse talent, and FLG brings two teams to the Inside Lacrosse Recruiting Invitational that are sure to impress.

The 2016 team is a solid group. The midfield is the strongest unit on the team and is definitely worth looking for at the event. There is also a nice group of uncommitted players to watch for.

Zach Walsh is the best option in net. Winkoff says Walsh has quick hands and is intelligent in goal.

Helping out in front of Walsh is defenseman Patrick Kiernan, who is a big rangy pole that gets in the passing lanes shutting down opponents or causing turnovers.

Jimmy Gadaleta, is one of the talented midfielders for 2016. He does it all. He is a great two-way midfielder who plays physical defense, brings the ball up with an excellent burst of speed and an all-around natural athlete.

"The 2016 FLG boys team is comprised of a group of athletic, skilled and intelligent lacrosse players," Winkoff said. "Their strength is definitely in the midfield. They have a strong contingency of Chaminade rising junior players at this position."

FLG's 2015 team consists entirely of uncommitted players. Winkoff believes these players should be committed already but "slipped through the cracks."

A couple of midfielders, Jared Warner and Daniel Doreste, lead the pack. Warner is a great athlete and is an excellent offensive threat. Doreste is more suited for the other end of the field as a very defensive midfielder

In the crease, another couplet, Griffin Goldberg and Thomas York, minds the net. Goldberg fills up the net with his size, has great hands, is intelligent and is good on the clear. York is not as big but also has good, quick hands and is very athletic of the crease.

On defense, Nick DeLuca is the best option. He is a physical defender, according to Winkoff rarely gets beat one-on-one, is good on the clear and is a terrific pole.

"The 2015 boys are comprised of all uncommitted rising senior athletes," Winkoff said. "They are a competitive team that have a bunch of athletes who have ‘slipped through the cracks.’ Meaning, they are definitely capable of playing at the next level, just haven't found the right school for them."

There’s plenty of talent to go around for FLG, and with so many uncommitted players, coaches will be sure to keep an eye on the players that standout.​